When it comes to makeup trends, black lips probably rank as one of the most daunting beauty looks out there. But when worn correctly, bold black lips come off more glam than Goth. Not only do attention-grabbing dark lips offer go-with-everything versatility, but they offer a statement-making look that will help anyone stand out from a sea of basic babes.

"Dark lip colors can sometimes be intimidating, but [they] can actually be very chic and a perfect winter look," says M.A.C. Cosmetics Senior Artist Cynthia Rivas. "Your lips will be the star of the show, so balance out the rest of your makeup by keeping the face neutral and by simply adding warmth to the cheeks to give it a softer feel."

But if you're like us, you're of the camp that subscribes to the notion that seeing is believing. So with that in mind, we've rounded up an eclectic mix of women -- with just about every hair color and complexion under the sun -- to demonstrate just how universally flattering black lipstick can be, as well as additional tips from Rivas to show us how to step over to the oh-so-chic dark side.

Funnily enough, edgy black lips only serve to highlight sweet and innocent features, like freckles or a freshly scrubbed complexion.

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If a fair-haired gal can rock black lips in daylight, then so can you. But no matter what your coloring, Rivas recommends taking a few precautionary measures before venturing into dark territory.

Start by pressing a tissue against your lips to absorb any excess moisture and dusting face powder over your pucker so that the product adheres properly. Then, outline and fill your lip area completely with a lip liner. "This will create a 'stain' and help your lipstick stay in stay in place," explains Rivas.

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With its creamy, easy-to-apply consistency, this pencil makes lining your lips -- and ensuring your lip color's staying power -- a breeze. "If you have trouble with feathering due to fine lines around the mouth, you can add a lip primer like M.A.C Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip slightly above the lip line to help fill in the fine lines and act as an "adhesive" for your lip color," says Rivas.

There's no doubt that black lips make a bold statement. To allow them to truly be heard, keep your eye makeup to a minimum.

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